I was delighted to arrange for Leader of the House of Commons, Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP, to visit Upminster Junior School this morning to mark the centenary of women’s suffrage.

Mrs Leadsom has been leading the Vote 100 celebrations in parliament, and captivated Year 6 students with stories of her own parliamentary career and meetings with the Queen in her role of Lord President of the Council.

The children were amazed that despite winning the vote in 1918, women could still not engage in elections unless they owned property or were over the age of thirty. Mrs Leadsom talked to the children about the non-violent campaign of Millicent Fawcett to secure the right to vote, and they asked her in turn about the gender pay gap, how much she earns as an MP and the number of women in the House of Commons today.

She encouraged the children not to see boundaries and to believe everything is in their own hands, suggesting girls take up STEM subjects and boys enter caring professions such as mental health work and teaching where their underrepresentation is an issue.

Asked about her favourite law, Mrs Leadsom replied that the EU Withdrawal Bill was the best she had been involved with and the referendum campaign the biggest event of which she has been a part. She explained to the school that she had first thought about becoming an MP at the age of thirteen as she had been so afraid of nuclear war between the United States and Soviet Union and wanted to find a way to stop it.

Mrs Leadsom said the best part of her job was the ability to help people and make a real difference to their lives. However, the children were most enthralled to hear about her role as Lord President, which brings her into regular contact with Her Majesty the Queen. She also described her work in Downing Street, and her role as Leader of the House in taking laws through parliament.

I was thrilled that the Leader of the House was able to visit children in my constituency in such an important year for women in politics. Andrea is an inspirational figure and answered children’s questions with a charm and honesty that truly captivated them. I hope they have lasting memories from the day, and that both girls and boys were left believing that they can emulate Andrea’s achievements in whatever career they wish to pursue.